Well said Liz and Bit of Both. Scotty, I appreciate now that you were trying to play devils advocate but your first post didn't come over that way. You should pay more attention to the standard of horses and riding and the friendliness of the people involved, not worry about what people wear. I rode English for quite a few years before being converted 100% to Western. If you think about it English riding attire is pretty strange, much of it probably dating back to the 19th century or before, but no one thinks twice about it over here because they are used to seeing it. Clothing for Western riding (certainly for men) is all about practicality and comfort and I would much rather wear a pair of wranglers and a comfortable shirt than Jodphurs and jacket. With all the positives of Western I have to say I would wear practically anything if it was expected (I say practically anything however I draw the line at pink latex!). Enjoy the advantages of Western riding and the people that go with it and wear the clothing INCLUDING THE HAT, with pride.

Hi Scotty,
thanks for your comments! I think there is a lot of truth in what you're saying but, you know what?...we're quite used to some people having a little giggle at us! Some of those people actually change their minds when they see just what our horses are capable of, some then converting to western. As for the others that continue to laugh, if they are that unintelligent and unobservant, I don't think we really want them invading our great western community!
These days you'd have to be living in a cave not to have seen or read about western riding - practically every month in one or other of the mainstream 'English' magazines there is an article about western riding, promoting the sport in it's true light. These enlightened editors/journalists have seen beyond the 'cosmetics' as do many of their readers. They are also responding to the huge surge of interest in western riding, fuelled in part by the momentum gained by 'natural/intelligent horsemanship type demos/clinics/books/DVD's etc.
We've just done a days western riding demo for our local pony club and the kids were fantastic. Nearly all of them had seen western riding somewhere previously, they were all enthusiastic, and all happy to give it a go with their ponies. The instructors, all extremely experienced horsemen and women, couldn't wait to hop up on our horses, and all agreed that they loved the lightness they experienced. As for hats, I wore a hard hat and my husband a baseball cap. We save the stetson for the showring (much too expensive to ruin by wearing for everyday riding!). We didn't really give the hat issue a thought, and as nobody else mentioned it, I don't suppose they did either!
Guys in jeans = yeah baby!
Guys in Jods = no, oh no, no no no!

Just to add my twopenneth - I've always worn a hard hat when riding out, training and sometimes in the show ring. If it's a posh show, I'll probably wear a stetson. It is entirely up to the rider to assess the risk level and do what they feel comfortable with, but I agree it should be compulsory for youth riders (even though I've seen youth competitors wearing stetsons at shows and baseball caps when training!). I work in an establishment that cares for and rehabilitates people with acquired brain injury, and it is not an easy road for the victim. Most people think it will never happen to them, but it can. However, I have to say one riding accident victim was wearing an english riding hat, which was knocked off when she was dumped by her spooked horse. So perhaps the safest place to be is on a well trained, calm and sensible western mount.

I was just on ebay (again) and if Scotty, or anyone else for that matter, is looking for a safety stetson there is one listed if you search on "Western Riding".

Maybe this would be more suitable and in keeping with others in the show ring.It seems to be the best of both worlds as it reaches the required safety standards adn looks like an ordinary stetson? I'm sure if you contacted the seller direct they would be able to advise where they purchased it.

Hi there,

are people in general are not always very critical of new things? I am in the Uk now for almost 3 years and the western society here is very, if not extremely friendly. I had a warm welcome from pretty much everybody!

In Germany the western riding sport was small to some time ago but has massively grown in the last 10 years.

The WES equivalent society counts around 20,000 members now. You have shows every weekend within a 50 mile radius. So the industry is big. But that brings good and bad. Yes the sport is much more accepted, I can go to the pub or supermarket with my spurs on and nobody is surprises.

But on the other hand, it all became VERY competitive, people seemed to have lost their sense of humor and forgotten the reason why they originally started riding western.

So I guess being looked at like a stranger because not so many people know and understand the sport is not always so bad. At least you get a lot of support within the western world.

... just my thoughts )
Jeannine

me again - if you are after the safety stetson.
I do sell them but I just want to make you aware that this is not a BHS approved hat nor is a very sophisticated hat. It does give you some protection but is no replacement for a riding hat.

At the moment there is a 8 week delivery time as the manufacturer is behind production.

If you want more infos or need any other tack please get in touch.

www.westerntack.co.uk